(1984) Brunei became sixth member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

(1984) Brunei joined United Nations

(1985) Brunei National Democratic Party (BNDP) legalized

(1986) Brunei National Solidarity Party (BNSP) legalized

(1986) Former Sultan Omar died

(1988) Both BNDP and BNSP banned

(1995) Government allowed BNSP to operate, following harassment, it became inactive

(1998) Prince Jefri Bolkiah, Chief of Brunei Investment Agency, removed from post by his brother, Sultan Bolkiah, due to concerns about stewardship of agency. Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, Sultan's son, took over

2000s

(2000) Brunei government filed civil suit against Prince Jefri Bolkiah for alleged misuse of state funds, froze assets. Out of court settlement reached with Prince agreeing to pay money back. Documents showed he spent $2.7 billion on luxury goods over 10 years

(2000) Brunei announced it would retrain up to 25% of work force in order to diversify economy away from oil and develop alternative industrie

(2001) Auction of more than 10,000 items belonging to Prince Jefri was held

(2004) Parliament reopened 20 years after it was disbanded

(2004) Two retired senior army and police intelligence officers, businessman, jailed without trial for leaking government secrets, some of which were posted on internet

(2005) Reshuffling of cabinet brought in younger members and ministers with private sector experience

(2005) National Development Party registered as political party

(2005) Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore formed Trans-Pacific Partnership to intergrate economies of Asia-Pacific region

(2007) Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia signed "Rainforest Declaration" pledging to conserve area of Borneo home to rare species

(2014) Bodyguard to Sultan's ex-wife cleared of accusations of stealing jewelry and replacing with replicas

(2014) Sultan of Brunei announced the imposition of the Shariah penal code, with punishments including amputation of limbs for theft, stoning for adultery, and flogging for alcohol consumption, abortion and homosexuality

Brunei Darussalam's Information

Land Area

5,265 km2

Water Area

500 km2

Total Area

5,765km2 (#163)

Population

436,620 (#173)

Population Density

82.93/km2

Government Type

Absolute Monarchy Or Sultanate (locally Known As Malay Islamic Monarchy)